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Jones Lake State Park: Hours, Fees and Dog Rules

Places › Jones Lake State Park

Jones Lake State Park is a North Carolina state park in Elizabethtown, Bladen County, in our Eastern Plain & Inner Banks region. Day-use admission is free. The gate closes between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m., depending on the month. It is closed on Christmas Day. Facts read from the official page on October 27, 2026.

  • AdmissionFree day usesome services cost extra
  • HoursCloses 6 to 9 p.m.Opens 8 a.m., by month
  • ClosedChristmas Dayother holidays: open
  • DogsOn a 6 ft leashmore rules below

About Jones Lake State Park

This Bladen County park was the first state park to welcome Black Americans and remains a community spot for picnics, swimming, hiking and paddling. Its tea-colored lake is only about 8 feet deep and is one of the Carolina bays, elliptical depressions of unknown origin.

Plan It in Three Lines

  1. Getting In

    Day-use admission is free.

    Closes 6 to 9 p.m.

  2. Bring the Dog?

    Dogs are allowed on a leash no longer than 6 feet, with limits indoors and in some areas.

    Full rules below

  3. Make It a Trip

    Singletary Lake State Park is about 11 miles away (straight line).

    2 units within 30 miles

Jones Lake State Park Hours

The gate closes between 6 p.m. (Nov to Feb) and 9 p.m. (Jun to Aug). It opens 8 a.m. Month by month, as the park prints it:

Closing Time by Month Park Hours, p.m.

Bars show the hour the gate closes, drawn from the month table below it. Taller means later.

Park Hours
MonthHours
January8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
February8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
March8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
April8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
May8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
June8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
July8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
August8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
September8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
October8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
November8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
December8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
  • Visitor Center: Open Monday to Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • The park is closed on Christmas Day.
  • The park is open during all other holidays.
  • The visitor center is closed on all state holidays.

Admission and Fees

There are no fees required to access Jones Lake State Park for day use, except for boat rentals. Fees are also charged for camping, certain event permits, and facility reservations.

Planning several parks? Our State Parks Passport guide sets every park’s fees and dog rules side by side.

Dogs and Strollers

  • Dogs: Pets are allowed at the park and at campsites. They are not permitted on the swim beach or inside buildings. Pets must be on an attended leash of no longer than 6 feet at all times.
  • Strollers: Not published. The park page does not say whether strollers are allowed; call the park office (910-588-4550) before you go.

Directions and Contact

State Parks Near Jones Lake State Park

Around Jones Lake State Park within 60 miles
20 mi40 mi60 miNSEW123456
  1. 1Singletary Lake State ParkState Parkabout 11 mi
  2. 2Lake Waccamaw State ParkState Parkabout 29 mi
  3. 3Lumber River State ParkState Parkabout 31 mi
  4. 4Carvers Creek State ParkState Parkabout 42 mi
  5. 5Weymouth Woods Sandhills Nature PreserveNature Preserveabout 54 mi
  6. 6Cliffs of the Neuse State ParkState Parkabout 56 mi

Straight-line distances between map points, not driving miles. Dots sit in their true compass direction; distance is stretched near the middle so close neighbors stay readable.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to visit Jones Lake State Park?

Day-use admission is free, per the park page. Camping, boat rentals, swim passes, event permits and reservations can cost extra where the park offers them.

Are dogs allowed at Jones Lake State Park?

Pets are allowed at the park and at campsites. They are not permitted on the swim beach or inside buildings. Pets must be on an attended leash of no longer than 6 feet at all times.

What time does Jones Lake State Park close?

It depends on the month: the gate closes between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. at the first table the park prints. See the month table above for your date.

Is Jones Lake State Park open on Christmas?

The park is closed on Christmas Day.

Are strollers allowed at Jones Lake State Park?

Not published. The park page does not mention strollers, so call the park office before you go.

What We Could Not Verify

  • Hours and closures change at short notice for weather and staffing; check the official page the day you go.
  • Stroller rules are not stated on the official page.

Sources

  1. Jones Lake State Park on NC State Parks (read 2026-10-27)
  2. NC State Parks: park list and fees (read 2026-10-27)
  3. OpenStreetMap (map point check)

Last checked October 27, 2026 by the It’s North Carolina editor. Spot something out of date? Tell us.

Cite this page: It's North Carolina, “Jones Lake State Park: Hours, Fees and Dog Rules”, itsnorthcarolina.com/places/jones-lake-state-park/ (updated ). By the It's North Carolina editorial team. Free to quote with attribution and a link to this page; data and tables are licensed CC BY 4.0.